“Married Man Flirts Then Ignores Me” – Why And How To Deal

Okay, have you ever been chatting with a married guy at work, things are going great – sparks flying, and maybe some butterflies? You start to think maybe there’s an emotional connection brewing. Or, you find yourself genuinely interested and even start picturing the only possible romantic future with him. 

Then suddenly, he acts like you’re invisible. This whole “married man flirts then ignores me” thing can be super uncomfortable, right? You’re probably left wondering, Is he genuinely interested? Why does a married man first texts me then ignores me? 

The truth is, there could be many different reasons why he flirts hot and cold. 

Flirting may be a fun way to connect for some people, but when married men are doing it, things often get complicated. The major reason is– marriage. 

So, how to navigate the situation? Is that your concern? Leave it to this article. It contains experiences from my life and my very close friends’ as well. Those things will help you  find answers to all your Why and How. 

So you can handle a married man flirting with you and easily escape this mixed-signal mess. 

7 Reasons Why “Married Man Flirts Then Ignores Me”

I was once sitting at my favorite coffee shop, catching up with my friend Sarah. Suddenly, a cute guy walked in and started talking to me. He was funny, charming, and threw in a few compliments that made me blush. We were totally vibing, and then suddenly he mentioned his wife. 

It took me some minutes to understand the situation and my head started spinning. All I was thinking of is why would a married man pursue me? Why a married man is flirting with me? Is this the right thing happening in my life? 

Is the same happening to you? Girl, stop stressing. 

Here’s the thing– when a married man flirts, it could be because he finds you attractive or enjoys the attention. But, at the end of the day, we all know how confusing guys can be, especially some married ones. 

Maybe the married man flirting with you is going through an unhappy marriage and he likes talking to you. But, at the same time, he’s feeling guilty about flirting at work. So, he suddenly ignores you. 

This may be just the tip of the iceberg and there could be many other reasons. Let’s find out.

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1. He’s seeking validation

So, you’re at work, and this married guy from your team is doing his charm. He’s being funny, being extra nice to you, getting you coffee and sometimes slipping a flower at your desk – all the classic flirtatious behavior. You’re starting to think, “Wow, such a nice guy!” But then, just like that, that man flirts then ignores you suddenly. And you are left wondering, what happened?

The point is – sometimes married men flirt for their ego boost¹. Things might not be super exciting in his marriage, and suddenly, you shower him with attention.

And, his body language changes, he might start complimenting you more, making little jokes – all to feel good about himself. He might enjoy the flirtation, the feeling of having a major crush.

It’s like seeking validation outside his marriage, a reminder that he’s still desirable. But at the end of the day: it’s all about him. A married man likes the attention, then pulls back because he doesn’t want any commitment. This inconsistent behavior can leave you confused and hurt. 

So, just set boundaries– don’t let such behavior of a married man mess with your self-esteem or love life. Remember, you deserve someone who’s clear about their own feelings and isn’t playing with your heart!

2. He has problems in his marriage

This is one of the most common reasons behind married men flirting with young women. Maybe things at his home are lacking the spark. So, when he flirts with you, it’s a way to feel wanted again. 

You’re attractive, paying attention to him, listening, and you make him feel special. It’s not like he is looking to leave his wife or start a sexual relationship with you. Maybe he’s filling a void, even if just for a moment. It may not sound good, but the worst is when reality kicks in.

He remembers his married life and family so he just pulls back. He deep down knows that it’s wrong, so he flirts then ignores. Basically, he is just using you as a distraction from his unhappy married life.

Relationships, marriage, and affairs are all confusing messes, for sure. This is why you must focus on what makes you feel wanted and respected healthily.

3. He’s just playing games with you 

Flirting can be like a fun little secret like you two are in your own world. It feels good for a moment. But for many men, that’s where it stops. 

They’re not looking to spend time with you outside of those flirtatious moments. They are definitely not leaving their wife for you, and let’s be real, sex might be the thrill they’re chasing.

Once it’s over, they might lose interest and start ignoring you. Such guys might flirt with other women too. They just want to have fun and nothing else. 

If you start feeling uncomfortable or sense that there’s no end to ‘married man flirts then ignores me’ situation, it’s okay to step back. 

Flirting can be fun, but it’s important to be aware when it’s just a game and when it might lead to something more meaningful.

4. He is afraid of getting caught 

Imagine he’s married but finds himself enjoying his time with you. It’s fun, right? But somewhere, there’s this constant worry about someone finding out. 

It’s a game of guilty pleasures for him where one wrong move from him could make things  messy. They love it with you, but constantly think about – 

• What if their friends or a colleagues find out who could spill the tea
• What if their wife gets to know about it 
• What if a higher authority at the workplace finds out 
• What if the frustrated you reach out to their family and tell them about the whole episode of ‘married man flirts then ignores me’

All these could affect his future and career. So, this fear of being caught can be a huge deal. That’s why he decides to ignore you, and stops responding to your texts or phone calls. And, suddenly, act like you’re just another friendly face at the office.

It’s not you, it’s him, his fears, and the complexities of his married life. So, this whole married men flirting can be a tricky situation.

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5. He’s confused 

Trying to figure out what’s going on in this married guy’s head is similar to decoding a secret code. One minute he’s giving you all the attention, the next he ghosts you. 

One of my married friends once encountered such a situation. He started having a good talk time with a girl in his office (nothing I’m proud of). Here’s what he told me: “Sometimes even married people flirt without really deciding what they want.” – This could be an answer to your ‘Why a married man flirts then ignores me?’ question.

Or, in your case, the guy might be attracted to you, enjoying the conversation (or making eye contact), but he is also confused about letting things go beyond. This internal struggle can be a real mess for him and for you too.

Ignoring you could be a way for him to create some distance. It’s like putting up a wall to protect himself from getting too emotionally attached. 

He might crave flirtation for a little ego boost, but the idea of anything more can lead to jeopardizing his marriage (think “other woman” drama!) This all makes him feel uncomfortable and he decides to keep you at a distance.

6. He’s sending mixed signals 

He might not even realize he’s sending mixed signals. Flirting could be a result of harmless friendliness or a sign of genuine attraction that he’s unsure how to handle. Maybe he’s just giving you some special attention. 

But then, he barely responds to your messages, and you’re left wondering, “Why is he sending mixed signals?”

He might be confused about his own emotions, especially because he’s already married. So, ignoring you could be his way of pausing things before they get more complicated.

I’ve myself seen it many times at work where a married guy is flirting with a young colleague. But the twist is, he flirts but mentions his wife – keeping that girl at the guesswork.

Sometimes, you may also find yourself in a similar situation. This can be super confusing because, on one hand, it feels like a clear sign he’s off-limits. But on the other hand, why flirt at all if he’s so happy in his marriage?

7. He’s prioritizing his marriage

There is a chance that he was trapped in an unhappy marriage when he started flirting with you, but eventually, things went well with his wife. Maybe they had a long talk or a romantic weekend getaway. Whatever it was, things got better between them.

Now, this doesn’t mean he wasn’t interested in you at first. Sure, he enjoyed the time he spent with you. But, when things are fine over at home, he might have decided to stay committed to his wife. So, he can avoid any discomfort or awkwardness with you.

Yes, this can be confusing. How do you tell if a married man is sending signals because his marriage is rough, or if he’s just playing games? 

It’s hard to say, but if he suddenly goes cold, it could be a sign that he’s prioritizing his marriage.

These were all the reasons why a married guy flirting with you suddenly started ignoring you.

And, the bottom line is that you don’t deserve some “nice guy” act with a side of emotional confusion. Learn with me some ways to handle the situation like a pro. 

How to Deal with a Married Man Sending Mixed Signals (5 Tips!)

So we’ve figured out why a married man might be ignoring you after flirting like Romeo. Now, what do you do with this whole “married man sending mixed signals” situation? Let’s find out the real thing.

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1. Spot the red flags

A married man flirting with you is itself a giant red flag. It’s like a big warning sign waving right in front of you, as obvious as a fire truck rushing to a major emergency. 

Getting all the attention, compliments, or maybe gifts or having a cozy movie night, is tempting, sure. But there’s a sacrifice you have to make. Are you okay with being a secret? Another major red flag. Never settle for someone who treats you like a side chick. That’s definitely not the happily ever after you would want, right?

You deserve so much more than being someone’s secret. A real relationship is all about being open, honest, and able to share your love without hiding. Don’t settle for just stolen moments or snaps of attention. 

You deserve a love that’s out in the open, where you are proudly introduced to everyone as a partner. (A post about it on social media also works!). That’s the love I know and that’s what I will want other girls to have. 

2. Don’t play games

I know this whole situation might make you want to play his game and do stupid things. But, girl, no, that’s not the way. Maybe you think that he is ‘hiding his feelings for me’ and acting jealous or trying to win him over will work. He will finally come clean about his feelings for you (even though he’s MARRIED). It will just not work, because he’s simply not the right guy.

Think about it this way: would you want someone to play those games with you? Probably not!

Instead, focus on finding someone who’s totally clear. Someone single and available to give you the kind of love and affection you deserve.

I’m sure that there are plenty of amazing men out there who can be honest about their feelings. Guys who won’t leave you at guesswork and are ready to make a real connection with you.

3. Friendzone such people

If you’re NOT looking for anything more than friendship ( be honest with yourself), it’s time to build a clear “friend zone” field. This means making it crystal clear that you only see him as a buddy.

Tell him personally or just text him: “Hey, listen, I really enjoy talking to you, but I just want to be clear– I’m not looking for anything romantic.” Telling someone you are not interested is this easy.

This might feel awkward at first, but trust me, it’s way better than leading him on. And eventually getting your heart broken because you secretly hoped for more. 

Speaking of heartbreak, let’s talk about protecting yourself emotionally. This married guy, he’s already in a committed relationship. So, stop investing your emotions into someone unavailable. 

4. Move on 

If friendzoning that guy doesn’t work with you, the best thing you can do is walk away. How?

First things first, focus on yourself, girl! Do things that make YOU happy– painting, dancing, reading, some crafts. 

Whatever it is, dive into those hobbies and passions. The more you invest in your own well-being and happiness, the less space there is for this confusing situation to take up space in your head. 

However, if there’s a situation at the workplace where you need to coordinate with him. Do it maturely. Take a deep breath, forget what all happened, and think of him as just another colleague. 

And meanwhile, who knows? Maybe you’ll meet someone who’s actually on the same page as you! Someone who can take you out on dates without freaking out about getting caught.

Or, a guy who can shower you with genuine compliments without disappearing like a ghost the next day. – Sounds perfect, right?

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5. Seek support if needed

Sometimes this whole “married man flirts then ignores me” situation can mess with your head. Maybe you start questioning yourself, if you did something wrong, or if he ever even genuinely liked you. It’s totally normal. 

And, you’re not alone! This kind of stuff happens to every second person around the world. According to a study, around 90% of single women are attracted to married men.

So, if that’s your case too and you need some support to get out of it, it’s totally fine. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted friend or family member. Venting to someone who cares about you can be a huge help.

If you still feel out of place, there’s nothing wrong with talking to a therapist. They’re trained to listen without judgment and can come up with healthy ways to deal with the situation. 

Remember, your mental health is more important than any random man.

Being involved with a married man is definitely not the right thing to do. It does not matter if he is having an unhappy marriage, let him handle that mess first. Don’t become the third person in his married life. Even if he is the one who has initiated the flirting, meeting, or chatting with you. It’s just not right (something I will never stand with.) 

As discussed above, there could be other reasons why he’s coming to you, and the bad ones too. So, you will be at a loss at the end of this ‘married man flirts then ignores me’ situation. 

Now, act smart, set your boundaries, and I repeat, never get involved with a married man.